ISLAMABAD: The federal government, in a major move aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability within the civil bureaucracy, has introduced strict new rules regarding foreign citizenship and dual nationality for civil servants.
Under the new framework, concealing foreign citizenship will be treated as “misconduct,” while officers found guilty of providing false information or hiding facts may also face termination from service.
Following approval by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Establishment Division has issued a notification regarding the “Civil Servants (Disclosure and Regulation of Foreign Nationality) Rules 2026.” The newly introduced rules will apply to all civil servants, while officers holding foreign travel documents have also been brought within the scope of the regulations.
According to the notification, all civil servants will be required to declare complete details regarding their own, their spouse’s, and their dependent children’s foreign citizenship, foreign passports, permanent residence status, immigration status, and other foreign affiliations. The government has also made disclosure of foreign citizenship held by family members mandatory. Under the new framework, candidates applying for government service will be required to submit declarations regarding foreign citizenship at the time of recruitment, while serving officers will have to provide updated declarations annually.
The Establishment Division will maintain a centralised record of all officers, while cadre administrators have been directed to compile, maintain, and regularly update citizenship records of the officers under their respective administrative control. The notification further clarifies that no civil servant will be allowed to acquire foreign citizenship without obtaining prior permission from the government. In cases where an officer fails to disclose foreign citizenship, participation in immigration programmes, or possession of foreign travel documents, departmental proceedings will be initiated.
The notification also states that the appointment of an officer found to have concealed foreign citizenship may be declared null and void, while strict action will be taken against individuals found guilty of providing false information under the Civil Servants Rules. According to the notification, failure to disclose foreign citizenship or related information will formally constitute “misconduct.”
According to sources, the new rules have been introduced following years of debate in the parliament and standing committees regarding dual nationality and permanent residence abroad among bureaucrats, along with growing public pressure concerning civil servants holding foreign citizenship. The government has introduced the new oversight framework to safeguard national interests, sensitive information, and state affairs. Under the new rules, officers possessing foreign citizenship will also undergo detailed scrutiny and vetting. However, rather than introducing legislation through parliament, the bureaucracy has opted to implement the changes through administrative rules and regulatory mechanisms.
